High-heeled shoe

ABSTRACT

In a high-heeled shoe, the outsole is characterized by an outsole angle between a line that connects a tread point on the bottom surface of the outsole with a rearmost point of meeting between the heel and the bottom surface and a coplanar horizontal line. A forepart of an insole of the shoe is thicker than a rear part of the insole, the insole being characterized by an insole angle between the horizontal and a line that connects a point of an upper surface of the insole that is vertically above the tread point with a rearmost point of the upper surface. The insole angle is smaller than the outsole angle. A forepart of an upper of the shoe is sufficiently high to accommodate the thicker forepart of the insole and a front of a foot.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to footwear. More particularly, the present invention related to a high-heeled shoe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Over the course of history, people have dressed in accordance with a prevailing fashion trend. In some professions or workplaces, dressing in accordance with the prevailing fashion, or in accordance with another customary manner, may be expected. A prevailing fashion typically varies from one geographical location to another, from one ethnic group to another, or from one year or historical period to another.

In many cases, a fashion trend may simply dictate the form or visual style of an article of clothing. However, in other cases, the fashion may affect the structure or function of the article of clothing. For example, a fashion may dictate a tightness of fit, a stiffness, density, or coverage of a garment.

In some cases, effects of fashion on structure or function of a garment may cause discomfort in some individuals who wear the garment. Fashionable dress of some types, such as excessively tight or restrictive clothing, or clothing that forces the wearer's body into unnatural attitudes, has been known to affect the health of the wearer.

In the field of footwear, in particular, fashion considerations have often affected the shape or form of a shoe. Fashion considerations have dictated such factors as the materials that used to manufacture the sole or upper of the shoe, the width of the shoe, the height of the shoe (e.g., affecting the portion of the leg that is covered by the upper of a shoe), coverage of the foot by the shoe (e.g., open or closed toes or other portions of the shoe), arrangement for closing the upper, thickness of the sole, and the height of the heel.

Some types of shoe styles have been known to affect the comfort of the wearer. Long term wearing of some styles of shoes have affected the shape of the toes or foot, or led to pain in the foot or back. The convenience or safety of wearing a particular style of shoe may be dependent such circumstances as presence of obstacles, weather or environmental conditions, surface conditions (e.g., slipperiness; presence of dirt, sand, water, snow, ice, or mud), the frequency with which the shoe is likely to be put on or taken off, or an intended activity to be performed while wearing the shoe.

At various times, high-heeled shoes have been considered fashionable, in particular for women. References to or depictions of high-heeled shoes for men have been found in ancient Egyptian sources, as well as in sources from ancient Greece and Rome. King Louis XIV of France is known to have worn high-heeled shoes due so as to draw attention from his short stature. By the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, high-heeled shoes were in widespread, particularly among women. Manufacturing processes that were developed during the Industrial Revolution enabled mass production of shoes, and thus wide access to mass produced. The Hollywood movie industry's influence in establishing the high-heeled shoe as the model for feminine and sexy footwear began during the 1920s, and has continued to the present day.

High-heeled shoes are considered by their wearers to accentuate features of the wearer or alter the wearer's posture for esthetic advantage. Wearing high-heeled shoes may create an illusion of the wearer being taller or longer legged than he or she actually is for esthetic advantage.

However, wearing high-heeled shoes may be uncomfortable, especially when worn for an extended period of time. People with back problems or other posture-related conditions may, in particular, have difficulty wearing high-heeled shoes. Some medical professionals are of the opinion that high-heeled shoes cause undue stress on parts of the foot or leg, e.g. as a result of bending the toes at an unnatural angle. In addition, when the foot is held at an unnatural angle, control of movement of the foot may be affected, possibly contributing to reducing stability of the wearer when standing or walking. Reduced stability could result in the wearer stumbling or falling.

Increasing awareness of the importance of shoe comfort on the part of consumers, together with a continuing desire to wear stylish shoes, have led to attempts to design a shoe that satisfies both needs. Such attempts have generally sacrificed either stylishness or comfort for the sake of the other.

Efforts to make high-heeled shoes more comfortable have often concentrated on widening the shoe or on reducing the perceived stiffness or hardness of the shoe. For example, materials that are softer than typical shoe materials have been used in manufacturing the sole or upper of the shoe in order to increase the comfort. Inserts of soft material have been designed for insertion into the shoe in order to pad the insole of the shoe. Platforms have been added to the toe section of the sole such that an upper that was designed for use with a low heel may be fitted with a high heel. In the case of platforms and similar adaptations, the structure that is intended to increase the comfort is readily visible to a casual observer, thus reducing the stylishness of the high heel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is thus included, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a shoe including: a heel; an outsole whose bottom surface at a heel end is configured to be supported by the heel is at a height that is greater than a height of a toe end of the bottom surface when the shoe is resting in an upright position on a horizontal surface, the outsole, when the shoe is resting in the upright position, being characterized by an outsole angle between a line that connects a tread point on the bottom surface with a rearmost point of meeting between the heel and the bottom surface and a coplanar horizontal line; an insole for placement in the shoe above the outsole when the shoe is resting in the upright position, a forepart of the insole being thicker than a rear part of the insole, the insole, when placed in the shoe and when the shoe is resting in the upright position, being characterized by an insole angle between a horizontal line and a line that connects a point of an upper surface of the insole that is vertically above the tread point and a rearmost point of the upper surface, the insole angle being smaller than the outsole angle; and an upper that is positioned above the outsole when the shoe is resting in the upright position on the horizontal surface, a forepart of the upper having sufficient height so as to accommodate at least the thicker forepart of the insole and a front of a foot of a wearer of the shoe.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the insole angle is smaller than the outsole angle by an angular difference in the range of 2 degrees to 10 degrees.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the insole is attached to the upper.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the shoe includes a shank that is incorporated into the outsole.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the height of the heel is in a range of heights from 20 millimeters to 60 millimeters, such that when the height is substantially equal to 20 millimeters, the insole angle is smaller than the outsole angle by an angular difference that is substantially in the range of 2 degrees to 5 degrees, and when the height is substantially equal to 60 millimeters, the insole angle is smaller than the outsole angle by an angular difference that is substantially in the range of 5 degrees to 10 degrees.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the outsole includes a side wall.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the insole is insertable into the shoe and is removable from the shoe.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the upper is attached to a board insole.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the board insole incorporates a shank.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the insole is insertable between the board insole and the upper.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the tread point or the rearmost point of meeting lies on a midline that connects a foremost point of the outsole with a rearmost point of the outsole.

There is further provided, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a method including: providing a shoemaker's last, the last including a forepart that is sufficiently thick such that if an upper of a shoe is formed on the last and the upper is incorporated into a high-heeled shoe, a forepart of the upper has sufficient space to accommodate a foot and a thickened forepart of an insole, the insole, when incorporated into the shoe and when the shoe is resting in an upright position on a horizontal surface, being characterized by an insole angle between a line that connects a point of an upper surface of the insole that is vertically above a tread point on a bottom surface of an outsole of the shoe with a rearmost point of the upper surface of the insole and a coplanar horizontal line, the insole angle being smaller than an outsole angle between the horizontal surface and a line that connects the tread point with a rearmost point of meeting between a heel of the shoe and the bottom surface of the outsole.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the method includes forming the upper on the last.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, forming the upper includes attaching the upper to the insole.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, forming the upper includes attaching the upper to a board insole.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the method includes providing the insole in the form of an insert that is insertable into the shoe on top of the board insole.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the method includes attaching the outsole.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the heel is incorporated into the outsole.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the method includes attaching the heel to the outsole.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the method includes attaching the heel to the insole via a heel seat of the outsole.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the insole angle is smaller than the outsole angle by an angular difference in the range of 2 degrees to 10 degrees.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better understand the present invention, and appreciate its practical applications, the following Figures are provided and referenced hereinafter. It should be noted that the Figures are given as examples only and in no way limit the scope of the invention. Like components are denoted by like reference numerals.

FIG. 1A shows a high-heeled shoe in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a side view of the high heeled shoe shown in FIG. 1A, showing components of the sole and insole;

FIG. 2A is a side view of an outsole for a high-heeled shoe in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a top view of the outsole shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is a side view of an insole in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates components for manufacture of a high-heeled shoe in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a side view of the shoemaker's last from among the components shown in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a shoe with a fashionably high heel is configured to hold a wearer's foot in a comfortable position. The wearer's foot is held in an orientation that is considerably more horizontal than the visible outsole of the shoe. In particular the waist or arch of the foot is held in an orientation that is considerably more horizontal than the orientation of the part of the outsole that is under the arch of the foot when worn. (The portion of the sole of the shoe that is designed to be placed under the arch of the foot is typically stiffened by inclusion of a stiffening element called a shank.) The shoe includes an insole or insert, not visible to an observer of the shoe when worn, whose thickness at its toe end is substantially greater than its thickness at its rear, or heel, end. Thus, the insole or insert causes the foot to be held an angle to the horizontal that is less than the visible angle of the sole of the shoe.

An upper of the shoe is designed to accommodate forward thickening of the insole or insert. The forepart, or toe end, of the upper of the shoe is shaped so that the toe end of the upper shoe is sufficiently high to accommodate the thickening of the insole or insert, as well as the toes and front of the wearer's foot. For example, the upper may be shaped on a last that is shaped such that the forepart of the upper is sufficiently tall so as to accommodate a thick toe end of the insole or insert as well as the forward portion of a foot.

For convenience, in much of this description, reference is made to an “insole” alone. Unless indicated otherwise, for example in discussions of differences between use of an insole and use of an insert, the term “insole” should be understood as referring either to an incorporated insole or to a separately inserted insert.

The heel end of the outsole of a high-heeled shoe, when a heel is attached and the shoe is resting upright on a level horizontal surface, is higher than the toe end of the outsole. A slope of the outsole may be characterized by an outsole angle. The outsole angle may be defined when the shoe is resting upright on a level horizontal surface. One side of the outsole angle is formed by a line, herein referred to as an outsole line, that characterizes the slope of the bottom surface of the outsole. One point that defines the outsole line is a point, herein referred to as the tread point, is located at the tread, where the bottom of the outsole is in closest contact with the horizontal surface. The tread point is typically below the ball of the foot when the shoe is being worn. The other point that defines the outsole line is herein referred to as the heel connection point. The heel connection point is the highest point of the outsole above the surface, typically the rearmost point of the outsole, where the rear of the heel attaches to the outsole. The other side of the outsole angle is formed by a horizontal line that is coplanar with the outsole line. The outsole angle characterizes the slope of the shoe as seen by an observer of the shoe when worn. The outsole angle is related to the height of the heel. The greater the height of the heel, the greater the outsole angle (all other factors, such as the length of the shoe, being approximately constant).

The slope of the insole may be defined in terms of an insole angle. The insole angle may also be defined when the shoe is resting upright on a level horizontal surface. One side of the insole angle is formed by a line that is herein referred to as the insole line. One point that defines the insole line is a point on the top surface of the insole that is vertically above the tread point. Thus, this point is typically below the ball of the foot when the shoe is worn. The other point that defines the insole line is the highest point of the insole above the aforementioned level horizontal surface. The highest point is typically the rearmost point of the insole, above the heel connection point. The other side of the insole angle is formed by a horizontal line that is coplanar with the insole line. (The insole line and the outsole line may be considered to be approximately coplanar. Thus the horizontal line that forms one side of the outsole angle may be parallel to or, equivalently, identical to, the horizontal line that forms one side of the insole angle.) When the shoe is worn, a foot of the wearer that is supported by the top surface of the insole is typically oriented at the insole angle. The insole angle is determined by properties of the outsole (e.g., heel height or outsole angle) and by properties of the insole (e.g., the difference in thickness between the toe end of the insole and the heel end of the insole).

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the insole angle is less than the outsole angle. Thus, the orientation foot of the wearer is typically more horizontal than the visible outsole of the shoe. The difference between the outsole and insole angles may depend on the outsole angle, being greater for larger outsole angles than for smaller outsole angles.

For example, the difference between the outsole angle and the insole angle may range from about 10 degrees to about 2 degrees, more particularly from about 7 degrees to about 3 degrees. For example, when the outsole angle is about 25 degrees (e.g., corresponding to a heel that is about 60 millimeters tall), the insole angle may have a range of about 15 degrees to about 20 degrees (10-degree to 5-degree difference), or more particularly, a value of about 18 degrees (e.g., the insole having a forepart thickness of about 15 millimeters). When the outsole angle is about 7 degrees (e.g., corresponding to a heel that is about 20 millimeters tall), the insole angle may have a range of about 2 degrees to about 5 degrees (5-degree to 2-degree difference), or more particularly, be about 3 degrees (e.g., the insole having a forepart thickness in the range of about 5 millimeters to about 15 millimeters).

Thus, the foot of a person that is wearing a high-heeled shoe in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may be held in a more horizontal position than it would be by a standard high-heeled shoe having the same outsole angle (e.g., the same heel height). The toe spring (upward curvature of the sole of the forepart of the shoe) of a high-heeled shoe in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may thus be less than the toe spring of standard high-heeled shoe having the same outsole angle. Such reduction in toe spring may reduce tendon strain and deformation of the arch of the foot of a person wearing the shoe.

Thus, a high-heeled shoe in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may enable a shoe to be both stylish and comfortable. The high-heeled shoe includes a stylishly high heel with a stylishly sloped outsole. On the other hand, the foot is able to comfortably rest on an insole or insert that is significantly more horizontal (e.g., by between 3 degrees and 7 degrees) than is the outsole. The upper of the shoe (formed on a suitably shaped last) is able to comfortably accommodate the forward part of the foot. The components of the shoe (the insole) that hold the foot in the more horizontal orientation are not visible from outside the shoe.

FIG. 1A shows a high-heeled shoe in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1B is a side view of the high heeled shoe shown in FIG. 1A, showing components of the sole and insole.

High-heeled 10 (e.g., heel 14 and tread point 22 of high-heeled shoe 10) is resting on a horizontal surface 26. High-heeled shoe 10 includes a heel 14. Heel meeting point 20 is defined as the point (or line segment or curve) where a rearmost end of heel 14 meets a bottom surface of outsole 16. Heel 14 may be attached to outsole 16, may be molded together with outsole 16 as a single unit, or may be attached to a permanent insole 18 (or to a board insole) via an opening (heel seat 44) in outsole 16.

Heel height h is defined as a vertical distance between horizontal surface 26 and heel meeting point 20. (Outsole 16 and heel 14 may be characterized by a wedge angle that describes an upward and rearward slope of the bottom surface of outsole 16 and of the top surface of heel 14.)

FIG. 2A is a side view of an outsole for a high-heeled shoe in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 2B is a top view of the outsole shown in FIG. 2A.

Outsole 16 is tangent to horizontal surface 26 at tread point 22. Tread point 22 may represent a point where a tread line 50 on outsole 16 meets a midline 52 of outsole 16. The tread of outsole 16 is defined as the widest part of the forepart of outsole 16, representing the part of the bottom of outsole 16 that is in closest contact with horizontal surface 26. Tread line 50, represents a front-back midline of the tread. Tread line 50 may be defined as a line on the bottom surface of outsole 16 that connects the right and left extremities at the widest part of outsole forepart 16 a (e.g., the part of outsole forepart 16 a that is designed to support the ball of the foot, corresponding to the joint that connects the toes to the foot). Midline 52 of outsole 16 may be defined as a line that connects the foremost end 54 a and rearmost end 54 b of outsole 16. (In the event that the front or back extremity of outsole 16 is flat, e.g., square-toed or square-heeled, foremost end 54 a or rearmost end 54 b may be defined as a midpoint of the flat segment.) Outsole line 28 connects tread point 22 with heel meeting point 20. Heel meeting point 20 may be located slightly below rearmost end 54 b of outsole 16.

Outsole angle α is defined as the angle between outsole line 28 and a line, coplanar with outsole line 28, that lies in the plane of horizontal surface 26. Thus, outsole angle α may be determined by a diagonal distance between tread point 22 and heel meeting point 20, and by a height h of heel 14 (e.g., arcsine of height h divided by the distance between tread point 22 and heel meeting point 20). Outsole angle α characterizes a slope of shank section 16 b of outsole 16. Shank section 16 b is herein used to describe the portion of outsole 16 that is designed to support the arch and heel of the foot and which is typically stiffened by insertion of a shank into outsole 16 or between outsole 16 and insole 18.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an insole in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Insole 18 is placed above outsole 16 in high-heeled shoe 10. As stated above, the term “insole” as used herein may refer to either an insole that is bonded or attached to the inside of a shoe, or to a removable insert that is insertable into, and removable from, the shoe. For example, a permanently attached insole may be sewn or glued to one or more of the outsole or the upper. There may be one or more intervening layers or additional structure between the outsole and the insole (e.g., a midsole, board insole, or shank).

Insole tread point 24 may be defined as a point directly above tread point 22 on the upper surface of insole 18 when insole 18 is incorporated into, or inserted into, high-heeled shoe 10. Insole heel point 21 may be defined as a rearmost point on the upper surface of insole 18, above heel meeting point 20. (Since the thickness of insole 18 tapers down at the rearmost end of insole 18, insole heel point 21 may, for some purposes, be considered to coincide with heel meeting point 20.)

Insole line 30 may then be defined as a line that passes through insole tread point 24 and insole heel point 21. Insole angle β may then be defined as the angle between insole line 30 and a horizontal line that is coplanar with insole line 30 and that lies in the plane of horizontal surface 26 (or in horizontal plane 32 that is parallel to horizontal surface 26).

Upper 12 of high-heeled shoe 10 is designed to comfortably cover a foot that is inserted into high-heeled shoe 10. For example, raised forepart 12 a of upper 12 may be sufficiently tall so as to cover thickened forepart 18 a of insole 18, as well as the toes and front of the inserted foot.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, insole angle β is smaller than outsole angle α. The difference between outsole angle α and insole angle β may vary with outsole angle α.

For example, high-heeled shoe 10 may be designed for a particular outsole angle α. Outsole angle α selected in accordance with esthetic considerations, e.g. in conformance with a style or fashion. Selection of outsole angle α may determine a form of both outsole 16 and upper 12. For example, outsole 16 and upper 12 may be designed for a particular heel 14. Similar considerations of style or fashion may dictate or limit a height of raised forepart 12 a of upper 12.

Insole 18 may be designed or selected to provide a desired degree of comfort within the limitations dictated by the selected outsole angle α and height of raised forepart 12 a. Thickened forepart 18 a may be determined by a requirement that the space between thickened forepart 18 a of insole 18 and raised forepart 12 a of upper 12 be sufficiently high to comfortably accommodate the toes and front portion of the wearer's foot. On the other hand, a height of raised forepart 12 a may be limited by esthetic or other considerations (e.g., that high-heeled shoe 10 have a fashionable appearance).

Insole angle β of insole 18 indicates an angle with which the wearer's foot is held by high-heeled shoe 10. Insole angle β may be selected so as to ensure or increase the comfort of the wearer. Insole angle β is determined in part by a difference between the thickness of thickened forepart 18 a of insole 18 the thickness of rear part 18 b of insole 18, as well as by height h of heel 14.

For example, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the difference in thickness between thickened forepart 18 a of insole 18 and rear part 18 b of insole 18 is in a range between approximately 5 millimeters to about 15 millimeters. Thus, for a typical woman's shoe, when outsole angle α is equal to about 25 degrees (e.g., corresponding to a heel 14 that is about 60 millimeters tall), insole angle β may be selected to be in a range of about 15 degrees to about 20 degrees, more particularly about 18 degrees. Similarly, when outsole angle α is equal to about 19 degrees (height of heel 14 approximately 50 millimeter), insole angle β may be selected to be in a range of about 13 degrees to about 15 degrees, more particularly about 14 degrees. For an outsole angle α of about 15 degrees (approximately 40 millimeter heel), insole angle β may be selected to be in a range of about 9 degrees to about 12 degrees, more particularly about 11 degrees. For an outsole angle α of about 11 degrees (approximately 30 millimeter heel), insole angle β may be selected to be in a range of about 6 degrees to about 8 degrees, more particularly about 7 degrees. For an outsole angle α of about 7 degrees (approximately 20 millimeter heel), insole angle β may be in a range of about 2 degrees to about 5 degrees, more particularly about 3 degrees.

Components may be utilized in manufacturing a high-heeled shoe 10 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates components for manufacture of a high-heeled shoe in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Reference is also made to elements shown in FIGS. 1A through 3.

A method for utilizing the components in manufacturing a high-heeled shoe, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, is described below. It should be noted that, unless indicated otherwise, the order of operations of the method that is presented below has been selected for convenience and clarity only, and operations of the method may be executed in another order, or concurrently.

A shoemaker's last 40 may be used to shape an upper (e.g., out of leather, cloth, or a synthetic material) for a high-heeled shoe such as upper 12 of high-heeled shoe 10. FIG. 5 is a side view of the shoemaker's last in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Shoemaker's last 40 may be constructed of wood, plastic, metal, or any other shapeable material that with sufficient rigidity to enable shaping a material for use in upper 12. Shoemaker's last 40 may be manufactured using a computer numerical control (CNC) forming machine. Thus, a numerically encoded design for shoemaker's last 40 may be entered into the CNC machine. The CNC machine which may then shape a block of material into the desired form of shoemaker's last 40. Shoemaker's last 40 may be partially collapsible or capable of being partially disassembled so as to facilitate removal from a shoe after lasting.

Shoemaker's last 40 may be designed for a pre-selected height h of a heel 14, as well as in accordance with any other esthetic or functional considerations. Design of outsole 16 may be coordinated with design of shoemaker's last 40. Coordination of the design may ensure that an upper 12 that is formed on shoemaker's last 40 using a lasting process is properly attachable to outsole 16. Shoemaker's last 40 may be shaped so as to accommodate a heel 14 of a desired height h.

Forepart 42 of shoemaker's last 40 is of sufficient height so as to be used to form upper 12 with raised forepart 12 a. Thus, a resulting high-heeled shoe 10 may be able to accommodate insole 18 (with thickened forepart 18 a) as well as comfortably accommodate a wearer's foot.

Upper 12 may be formed using shoemaker's last 40. For example, a sheet of leather, cloth, plastic, or another suitable material may be stretched over shoemaker's last 40. The piece of material may be suitable treated and cut so as to form and retain the shape of upper 12. The material and particular design (e.g. the extent to which the shoe is open or closed; arrangements for closing the shoe; material properties such as color, glossiness, stiffness, softness, elasticity) of upper 12 may be selected so as to conform to a style or fashion, or may be selected for a particular activity or environment of the shoe or its wearer. For example, considerations may include whether the shoe is to be worn primarily indoors or outdoors, on formal or casual occasions, number of hours shoe is typically worn, or a typical distance that the wearer walks while wearing the shoe. Upper 12 may include an interior lining, e.g. to provide padding, to absorb moisture, or otherwise provide comfort for the wearer.

As part of a process of forming (also referred to as lasting) upper 12 on shoemaker's last 40, a permanently attached insole 18 may be attached to upper 12. Alternatively, a board insole may be attached to upper 12. The board insole may incorporate a shank.

Outsole 16 may be formed in mold or other forming or shaping device. A shape of outsole 16 is typically selected so as to fit a foot of a particular size and to accommodate a heel 14 of a particular height h (and to fit upper 12 or a shoemaker's last 40 for forming upper 12). Outsole 16 may be formed of leather or plastic, or any other suitable outsole material.

Outsole 16 is attachable to an upper 12 that is formed using shoemaker's last 40. For example outsole 16 may be attached to upper 12 by means of a welt. A heel 14 (FIG. 1B) may be attached to outsole 16, or to insole 18 via heel seat 44 in outsole 16.

An upper surface of outsole 16 may include one or more raised side walls. The side walls may enable confinement of insole 18 or other components of high-heeled shoe 10 (e.g., midsole, shank) by outsole 16. For example, such confinement may be required in a high-heeled sandal.

Outsole 16 may include an incorporated shank. In particular, outsole 16 may incorporate a shank when insole 18 is permanently attached to upper 12. The shank may preserve the shape of shank section 16 b of outsole 16. In other cases, as described below, a shank may be separate from outsole 16.

Insole 18 may be included in a high-heeled shoe 10 between outsole 16 and upper 12. Forepart 18 a of insole 18 is thicker than rear part 18 b of insole 18. The shape of insole 18 may be selected so as to hold a foot in a comfortable orientation (e.g., characterized by insole angle β).

For example, insole 18 may be attached or bonded to (e.g., glued or sewn to) outsole 16 or to upper 12 (or both). In this example, insole 18 may be attached as part of process for manufacturing a high-heeled shoe 10. For example, when lasting upper 12 on shoemaker's last 40, insole 18 may be placed against bottom surface 43 of shoemaker's last 40 and attached to upper 12. Outsole 16 (and any intervening layers or structure, such as a midsole or shank), may be attached to insole 18. In this case, a designer of the shoe may decide the angle from the horizontal at which the wearer's foot is to be held.

In this example, insole 18 may be constructed of materials (e.g., arranged in layers) that enable insole 18 to be permanently incorporated into high-heeled shoe 10. The materials may also provide a desired degree of padding and flexibility to enable comfortable wearing. High-heeled shoe 10 may include a midsole layer between outsole 16 and insole 18.

In this example, a shank may be incorporated into outsole 16. Incorporating a shank into outsole 16 may enable the sole of the shoe to be stiffened in a manner that is not felt by a wearer of high-heeled shoe 10. In other cases, a shank may be bonded to high-heeled shoe 10 between outsole 16 and insole 18. The shank may preserve the shape of the shoe when subjected to the weight of the wearer being exerted by the wearer's foot.

As another example, insole 18 may be inserted in the form of a removable insert into a completed shoe that includes an upper 12 and an outsole 16. A board insole or other structure (e.g., a midsole) may be permanently incorporated into the shoe. For example, during lasting, a board insole (e.g., a thin structure that includes a material such as cardboard, fiberglass, or particle board) may be placed against bottom surface 43 of shoemaker's last 40 and attached to upper 12. The board insole may include a shank.

Before wearing the shoe, the wearer may select an insole for insertion into the shoe. For example, when purchasing the shoe, the purchaser may separately select an insert.

In this case, insole 18 (in the form of a removable insert) may include a cardboard layer to provide a minimal amount of stiffness (to enable proper insertion and removal), as well as a fabric layer that provides padding and a predetermined shape (e.g., thickness of thickened forepart 18 a) of insole 18. A wearer may select a particular insole 18 for insertion into the shoe. (In some cases, an insole 18 may be custom made in accordance with a preference or requirement of a particular wearer.)

An insole 18 in the form of an insert may enable adapting high-heeled shoe 10 to an individual wearer. For example, some wearers may prefer their feet to be held in a more horizontal orientation than other wearers. The preference may be related to an age or state of health of the wearer, or to recent actions by the wearer.

The preference for a single wearer may vary from one occasion to another. Thus, a wearer may maintain two or more different insert for a single shoe. The wearer may then select an insert for insertion into the shoe based on the wearer's preference at that time.

A high-heeled shoe may be manufactured in accordance with the above method, whether the shoe is designed for style or for comfort. 

1. A shoe comprising: a heel; an outsole whose bottom surface at a heel end is configured to be supported by the heel at a height that is greater than a height of a toe end of the bottom surface when the shoe is resting in an upright position on a horizontal surface, the outsole, when the shoe is resting in said upright position, being characterized by an outsole angle between a line that connects a tread point on the bottom surface of the outsole with a rearmost point of meeting between the heel and the bottom surface of the outsole and a coplanar horizontal line; an insole for placement in the shoe above the outsole, a forepart of the insole being thicker than a rear part of the insole, the insole, when placed in the shoe when the shoe is resting in said upright position, being characterized by an insole angle between the coplanar horizontal line and a line that connects a point of an upper surface of the insole that is vertically above the tread point with a rearmost point of the upper surface, the insole angle being smaller than the outsole angle; and an upper that is positioned above the outsole when the shoe is resting in said upright position, a forepart of the upper having sufficient height so as to accommodate at least the thicker forepart of the insole and a front of a foot of a wearer of the shoe.
 2. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the insole angle is smaller than the outsole angle by an angular difference in the range of 2 degrees to 10 degrees.
 3. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the insole is attached to the upper.
 4. The shoe of claim 3, comprising a shank that is incorporated into the outsole.
 5. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the height of the heel is in a range of heights from 20 millimeters to 60 millimeters, such that when the height is substantially equal to 20 millimeters, the insole angle is smaller than the outsole angle by an angular difference that is substantially in the range of 2 degrees to 5 degrees, and when the height is substantially equal to 60 millimeters, the insole angle is smaller than the outsole angle by an angular difference that is substantially in the range of 5 degrees to 10 degrees.
 6. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the outsole includes a side wall.
 7. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the insole is insertable into the shoe and is removable from the shoe.
 8. The shoe of claim 7, wherein the upper is attached to a board insole.
 9. The shoe of claim 8, wherein the board insole incorporates a shank.
 10. The shoe of claim 8, wherein the insole is insertable between the board insole and the upper.
 11. A method comprising: providing a shoemaker's last, the last including a forepart that is sufficiently thick such that when an upper of a shoe is formed on the last and the upper is incorporated into a high-heeled shoe, a forepart of the upper has sufficient space to accommodate a foot and a forepart of an insole that is thicker than a rear part of the insole, the insole being characterized by an insole angle between a line that connects a point of an upper surface of the insole that is vertically above a tread point on a bottom surface of an outsole of the shoe with a rearmost point of the upper surface of the insole and a coplanar horizontal line, the insole angle being smaller than an outsole angle between a line that connects the tread point with a rearmost point of meeting between a heel of the shoe and the bottom surface of the outsole and the coplanar horizontal line.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising forming the upper on the last.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein forming the upper comprises attaching the upper to the insole.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein forming the upper comprises attaching the upper to a board insole.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising providing the insole in the form of an insert that is insertable into the shoe on top of the board insole.
 16. The method of claim 11, further comprising attaching the outsole.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the heel is incorporated into the outsole.
 18. The method of claim 16, further comprising attaching the heel to the outsole.
 19. The method of claim 16, further comprising attaching the heel to the insole via a heel seat of the outsole.
 20. The method of claim 11, wherein the insole angle is smaller than the outsole angle by an angular difference in the range of 2 degrees to 10 degrees. 